In the competitive world of online casinos, any new technology that could give you the edge over your rivals should be embraced and used to its full potential. Virtual reality and augmented reality have been in development for over a decade now, and casino websites have been quick to take advantage of them. However, there are still obstacles to be overcome before VR and AR become fully integrated elements of the online casino experience. When that moment arrives, the sky’s the limit.
VR and AR: What’s the difference?
First of all, let’s define the terms we’re using. Virtual reality (VR) is fully immersive and interactive, completely shutting out the real world and placing you in an entirely simulated environment. The goal of VR is for this environment to feel as real and believable as the outside world. You will experience it with all of your senses so that, to all intents and purposes, you are within the VR environment in every sense.
With augmented reality (AR), the real world is overlaid with computer-generated graphics, animation and other images and sound in order to bring them into your everyday experience. Like VR, these elements are interactive and should feel real. But while VR at present requires a bulky headset in order to shut out reality, AR uses more lightweight technology – meaning you are relatively unencumbered. The game world comes to you, rather than you having to go into the game.
Advantages for casinos
The promise of an immersive VR experience can be a strong selling point alongside casino welcome bonuses to attract punters to a particular site. NetEnt has already added virtual reality options to several of its most popular slots, including Starburst, Gonzo’s Quest and Scarface. It also has several VR casino games with exciting 3D graphics.
The use of virtual or augmented reality can increase the sense of emotional involvement that is a huge part of “real world” casino games. Feeling the cards or the dice in your hands, the tactile sensation of pressing the buttons on a slot machine and feeling the presence of other players around the table all contribute to the excitement, anticipation and tension that are a big part of the gaming experience. VR can potentially bring all of these underrated secondary sensations to the online version.
The drawbacks
With AR and VR, it’s not just a question of online casinos waiting for the technology to mature, but also establishing how it can be best used and what elements offer the best prospects for casino users. Sites must decide whether the options as they stand offer genuine practical benefits or are just an expensive gimmick.
At present, the main problem with VR is the need for players to have a headset and a fully optimised gaming PC to enjoy the full experience. An increasing number of people are choosing to access online casinos via mobile devices, for the convenience of being able to access a favourite site wherever they happen to be, 24 hours a day. Having to use bulky hardware inevitably works against these key advantages of the online casino experience.
Future games
Augmented reality has the advantage here as it is ideally suited to creating immersive games that can be enjoyed when on the move. The recent success of Pokémon Go showed how AR games and mobile phones can work well together. It’s not hard to see the potential for casino games. Imagine transforming your humble living room into an opulent casino with the addition of AR elements: the other players sitting around your old dining table, the fabulous décor appearing in the corners, the live dealer walking through from the kitchen!
Nevertheless, it’s virtual reality that ultimately has the most potential for plunging players into a completely alternate world. Real-world locations like the most opulent Las Vegas casinos can be recreated down to the last detail, or players could step into their favourite gambling movies.
Games can even incorporate fantasy elements, such as mythical creatures or magical decorations. With slots, one could either choose to experience playing a physical slot machine in every respect or be plunged into the world of the slot game itself, with tumbling giant gold coins, dragons and leprechauns interacting in a surreal and colourful kingdom.
The ability to use and observe even the most subtle body language will make online poker more complex and interesting, and you’ll even be able to leave the table to enjoy a drink or a virtual cigar in the casino lounge. Why continue to watch the game from your own perspective? You could become the ball on the roulette wheel or a literal fly on the wall.
VR and AR promise to make online casinos a distinctly different experience from their real-world counterparts. The possibilities are infinite. Just watch this space.